Edwin C. Brown Labor Union Collection

University Archives and Special Collections
15 Lippitt Road
Kingston, RI 02881-2011
Tel: 401-874-4632

email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Published in 2013

Collection Overview

Title:	Edwin C. Brown Labor Union Collection
Date range:	1953-1984, (bulk 1953-1984)
Creator:	Brown, Edwin C., 1910-2010
Extent:	10 box(es) (5 linear feet)
Abstract:	The collection reflects Edwin C. Brown's involvement in Rhode Island labor and labor history. It includes information on various labor unions as well as personal files and Rhode Island Group Health Association documents.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	University Archives and Special Collections
Collection number:	Mss. Gr. 230

Scope & content

The Edwin C. Brown Labor Union Collection includes historical information Brown compiled for a variety of Rhode Island labor union locals. It also includes personal files Brown kept as well as documents pertaining to the Rhode Island Group Health Association.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series as follows:

• 1. Rhode Island Group Health Association
• 2. Rhode Island Labor History Research
• 3. Personal Files

Biographical note

Edwin C. Brown was a notable Rhode Island labor activist who remained active in the labor world until his death at the age of 100 in 2010. Brown began working at the age of 16 for a jewelry manufacturer, and eventually became a jewelry toolmaker. In 1935, while working as a toolmaker, he joined the International Association of Machinists and was elected president of the local four years later. In 1940, he was appointed to the Committee Studying Employment Problems of the Negro and later became New England regional director of the AFL League for Human Rights. After serving in World War II, he joined the U.S. Department of Labor as an investigator. He quit the government in 1951 to become Secretary-Treasurer of the Rhode Island branch of the American Federation of Labor (AFL). As the Secretary-Treasurer of the AFL, Brown played a major role in merging of the AFL and CIO in 1958. During the 1950’s, Brown worked to gather information about the history of Rhode Island’s labor unions. He published this piece in 1976, titled "Working in Early Rhode Island." Brown was also the founder of the Rhode Island Group Health Association (RIGHA). He became board chairman in 1971. His papers include surveys of various RI labor unions compiled in order to write "Working in Rhode Island," information regarding the RIGHA, as well as personal labor-related files.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	Any qualified person doing scholarly research is permitted to use material housed in the Special Collections Unit.
Use of the materials:	Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Archivist when in compliance to the Unit's policy on copyright and publication.
Preferred citation:	Edwin C. Brown Labor Union Collection, Mss. Gr. 230, University of Rhode Island, University Archives and Special Collections.
Contact information:	University Archives and Special Collections 15 Lippitt Road Kingston, RI 02881-2011 Tel: 401-874-4632 email: archives@etal.uri.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	The Edwin C. Brown Labor Union Collection was given to the Special Collections Department of the University of Rhode Island in July of 2009 by a deed of unrestricted gift signed by Scott Molloy. Molloy received these materials from Brown. Rhode Island labor union material will be added to the collection based on which unions are already represented.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Abigail Casavant.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Abigail Casavant 2013 May 29, updated by Mark Dionne on 2020 April 3
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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Inventory